Bryson's Birth Story

Well now that Bryson is three months old I thought I would write about his birth story. For Brady's birth story you can read here, here, and here. Bryson's is not quite as long, so I think I can fit it in just one post, but it may be a long post.

Bryson was due on Monday, May 23rd 2011. We decided to wait until he was born to find out if he was a boy or a girl. (Spoiler alert: He was a boy!) I had a very good pregnancy compared to most people, but it was harder than the perfect pregnancy I had with Brady. Still can not decide if it was because it was a truly harder pregnancy, or if it was because I was chasing another little one around, and could not rest often. By mid May I was feeling pretty good, but I was really anxious to meet our baby, and see if we were having a boy or girl.
On Thursday May 19th, I woke up feeling great. We had a few errands, a trip to story time at the library, and a doctors appointment at 1:50. On our errands and at the library I had braxton hicks contractions that were really starting to get uncomfortable. I did not time them or anything, because they were not the super painful contractions, like real labor. I remember trying to listen to the story at storytime, while having a contraction, and wondering if I was in labor.
Once we got to the doctor, she checked me and I was 3cm dilated, and 80% effaced. After my doctor checked me she asked if I wanted her to strip my membranes. I was hesitant because I felt like I would be cheating if I did. She reassured me that it is just a natural way to help start labor, and I could start going into labor in the next 48 hours. We thought that sounded pretty good so we went for it.
Jeremy met Brady and I at the doctors appointment, so I had to drive the ten minutes home in my car. On the way home, I was hurting pretty bad, but it did not feel like labor, just what I thought was pain from the appointment. Once I got home, I decided to take a nice warm bath and relax, hopefully stopping the uncomfortableness. Brady kept interrupting my bath, so it was short lived. Once I got out, I talked to my sister in-law, and had a nice snack. (Cheddar cheese Ruffle chips, nice and healthy!)
I skyped my mom, to let her know that we might have the baby in the next 48 hours. While talking to her I decided to try out my cell phone contraction timer app. At first they were about 5 ish minutes apart. They were much less intense than with Brady so I just did not think I was in real labor. Jeremy called his mom and was ready to go to the hospital. At about 4 o'clock or so my contractions were 4 ish minutes apart, and I decided to put down the chips. It was fun skyping with my mom and timing my contractions. Jeremy really wanted to go to the hospital, but I still was not thinking I was in labor. I would whisper to my mom the time between contractions, and Jeremy would yell "let's go"! When my contractions got under 4 minutes, we decided to head out. Jeremy had already called his mom to come over and watch Brady, he was happily watching some old mickey mouse movie when we left.
We got to the hospital at 4:44pm. The nurse checked me, and called my doctor. I was at 7cm, and everyone knew my labor would go fast. My doctor is so amazing. Even though she was not on call, and could have headed home to her family, she decided to stay and deliver! Truly the best doctor ever! While in triage, I still did not think I was in real labor because it was not similar to labor with Brady. Then I threw up, and the real pain started at about 5:00. I knew we were in real labor, and I was so excited and ready to meet our baby.

Pain this time was different, I could breathe, and concentrate through each contraction. I still knew that I wanted an epidural. I know that this is a sensitive subject for some people, and everyone has their own opinion. I could have made it, but my experience with Brady was full of joy not pain, so why would I want to change that? I think everyone should see what their body can handle, and then go from there.
At around 6:00, I got my epidural, and immediately felt better. Brady and Nana and Gramps arrived, and I put on a little more make up, and enjoyed visiting. At 6:30 my doctor checked me, I was at 8cm, and broke my water. Brady and family came back in to visit, and I felt the need to push. They all left and my doctor came back. I pushed for 2 counts of 10 and he was out! Born at exactly 7:00, easiest labor ever!
No tearing, no stitches, nothing!
When his head was out we knew he was a boy. Such an exciting moment. Perfect, and looked just like Brady. He was covered in vernix, like no other baby I have ever seen.

He got cleaned up, and was able to nurse right away. He had a perfect latch from the start, and has ever since. We were so in love immediately.
The only bummer of his birth was that Jeremy wanted to tell everyone that he was a boy, and the nurse did it for us. Next time we know to tell the nurses that we would like to tell our family.

No one tells you that the after labor contractions hurt worse with your second baby. Well, they do! Ouch! Apparently they are even worse with the third baby.  At least when you are in labor you are working towards having your baby, but after just hurts!

We had to stay in the hospital for 24 hours, and we left at exactly 7:00 the next evening. We loved being home and a family of four ever since.

Bryson is such an amazing baby, and we know God has some awesome things planned for him in his life. He is easy going, and so happy. Truly blessed to have him as a son.